2016年4月29日
基督的馨香The Fragrance of Christ
读经: 哥林多后书2章14-17节
Reading: 2 Corinthians 2:14-17
我们在上帝面前……都有基督馨香之气。-哥林多后书2章15节
We are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:15
全年读经: 列王纪上6-7章;路加福音20章27-47节
Bible in a Year: 1 Kings 6–7; Luke 20:27-47
在五种感官知觉当中，哪一个最容易唤醒你的记忆呢？对我而言是嗅觉。例如：某种防晒油的味道能让我想到夏天的海滩；鸡饲料的味道会勾起我童年去看望祖母的回忆；少许的松木香味会让我联想到圣诞节；某种刮胡霜则让我想起儿子青少年时期的往事。
保罗提醒哥林多教会的信徒，他们是基督的馨香，他说：「我们在上帝面前……都有基督馨香之气」（哥林多后书2章15节）。保罗谈到馨香，也许是因为当时罗马军队庆祝胜利时，为了要让每个人都知道他们已赢得胜利，就会在所有的祭坛上焚香。对得胜者而言，那的确是宜人的香气；但对于俘虏来说，那意味着奴役或死亡。基督徒就是得胜的战士，当基督的福音遍传，便成为上帝面前芬芳的香气。
基督徒既然是基督的馨香，在人群中会散发出什么样的香气呢？这香气并不是来自昂贵的香水。如果我们花时间与某个人相处，自然就会和那人有同样的思想与行动。同样地，若多花时间与耶稣相处，我们也会散发出令人愉悦的馨香。
主啊，求祢引导我的心思意念和言行举止，
让人们知道祢常与我同在。
当我们与上帝同行，必定散发馨香。
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Which of the five senses brings back your memories most sharply? For me it is definitely the sense of smell. A certain kind of sun oil takes me instantly to a French beach. The smell of chicken mash brings back childhood visits to my grandmother. A hint of pine says "Christmas," and a certain kind of aftershave reminds me of my son's teenage years.
Paul reminded the Corinthians that they were the aroma of Christ: "For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ" (2 Cor. 2:15). He may have been referring to Roman victory parades. The Romans made sure everyone knew they had been victorious by burning incense on altars throughout the city. For the victors, the aroma was pleasing; for the prisoners it meant certain slavery or death. So as believers, we are victorious soldiers. And when the gospel of Christ is preached, it is a pleasing fragrance to God.
When we walk with God, people will notice.
As the aroma of Christ, what perfumes do Christians bring with them as they walk into a room? It's not something that can be bought in a bottle or a jar. When we spend a lot of time with someone, we begin to think and act like that person. Spending time with Jesus will help us spread a pleasing fragrance to those around us.
Lord, please shape my thoughts and actions so people may sense that I have been with You.
When we walk with God, people will notice.